2018 Translation Officers Summary

The third UBS two-week study group was the largest and most challenging (Sept. 2 – Sept.15). It was provided by UBS for some 25 English speaking national consultants who had finished a three year training program which culminated in this intensive Land of the Bible tour offered by JCBT.

We are happy to share with you this photo of these important 23 Translation Officers, from 18 different countries. Each of them will be responsible for several translations of mother tongue translation projects in their home countries. Take a look at the variety of facial features and enjoy the joyful expression of the group united by the same purpose to work in spreading the kingdom of God through mother tongue Bible translations. They reach the mind and the heart of the people.

This UBS group of 23 people, led by UBS global advisor Bob Bascom, experienced the classic JCBT two weeks Land of the Bible tour guided mainly by Halvor and Brian. In the evaluation session many participants were pleading to have further exposure to the great resources that the land of the Bible provides.

Esteban Voth is behind this vision of UBS to bring national translators, consultants and directors to the land of the Bible to enrich and motivate them in the common effort to reach a time when “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:9).

These UBS short term programs are requested by UBS from JCBT about a year ahead of time. They are based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016 between UBS and JCBT. The groups of 20-30 people stay in Yad Hashmonah Country Hotel located near the log home dormitory of JCBT in Yad Hashmonah. The aim is to encourage, motivate and enrich the national translators and consultants by the impact of what they learn and experience from the reality of the land of the Bible.

At JCBT we are blessed to work together with partners who are fully committed to the challenge of increasing the number of people groups who will get a well translated Bible in their mother tongue. This is possible with the assistance of their own national translators who have seen the land.